Pioneer Valley Business Calendar: April 12 - May 13

April 12
Women in Philanthropy will host a seminar on the nuts and bolts of cause marketing campaigns at 8:15 a.m. at the Delaney House in Holyoke. The cost of the program is $15 for WiP members and $25 for non-members. The price includes a buffet breakfast.

April 13
The Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce will host Richard K. Sullivan Jr., Massachusetts secretary of energy and the environment, at 7:30 a.m. at the Yankee Pedlar.

Sullivan will speak about energy and environmental issues with impact on business and the economy in Western Massachusetts. He will be introduced by Robert Gilbert of Dowd Insurance, co-chair of the chamber’s Governmental Affairs Committee.

The former mayor of Westfield, Sullivan is heading the first state agency in the nation that combines both energy and environmental interests. He formerly served as the commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Recreation.

Tickets to the event are $15 for members and $20 for non-members. Reservations should be made in advance by contacting the Chamber office at (413) 534-3376.

April 19
McDonald’s and its franchisees are looking to hire more than 2,200 new crew and restaurant management positions at its Massachusetts restaurants.

This one-day event is part of a nationwide initiative for McDonald’s and its franchisees - the target, hire up to 50,000 new employees at restaurants across the country. The new positions will include a combination of both seasonal and sustaining full-time and part-time positions based upon individual restaurant needs. For applicants who want to learn more about the McDonald’s work experience, McDonald’s current employees have volunteered to proudly share their “Why I Love My McJob” stories online at www.McDonalds.com/Careers.Those interested in applying for an available position are encouraged to visit their participating local McDonald’s or apply online at www.McDonalds.com/Careers.

April 20
The West of the River Chamber of Commerce invites the business community to attend an evening of “Night Time Networking” from 5 to 7 p.m. at the new location of the Insurance Center of New England in Agawam.

The center recently relocated its headquarters to 1070 Suffield St., formerly “The Oaks” banquet house, which emphasizes a “greener” and healthier work environment for its employees. The exterior features a 70-foot long, 3-foot high natural stone wall, a variety of grass, shrubbery and flowers, and a communal employees’ vegetable and herb garden. The interior has been completely redesigned to include spacious offices, conference rooms and an exercise room.

Tickets are available to members for $10 and non-members for $15. For inquiries and to purchase tickets, contact the WRC by phone at (413) 426-3880 or emailinfo@ourwrc.com.

April 25
The Springfield Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals will host a 63rd Annual Administrative Professionals’ Week Celebration at 6:30 p.m. at the Clarion Hotel, 1080 Riverdale St., West Springfield. Bonnie Low-Kramen, a personal assistant to actors Olympia Dukakis and Louis Zordich, will be the guest speaker. Tickets are $40, contact Anne.barnet@comcast.net or r.stirlacci@permasteelisagroup.com
April 26
The Massachusetts Latino Chamber of Commerce will host a series of “How to Start a Small Business” workshops starting at 6 p.m. at the MLCC offices in Holyoke. The event will continue, April 28, May 3, May 5, May 10 and May 12. To register, please call (413) 746-1989 or email mdones@masslatinochamber.com
April 27The Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation Entrepreneurship Initiative will host its awards ceremony, banquet and “Elevator Pitch” competition where young people with business ideas pitch them in a short period of time, the time it takes to ride an elevator. Contact Cari Carpenter at (413) 335-3535.
April 28
The Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau will present Destination Dine on at 4:30 p.m. at the Museum of Springfield History. The event will give attendees the opportunity to tour three Pioneer Valley landmark attractions while sampling food from some of the region’s top restaurants.

The evening starts with appetizers from Adolfo’s Ristorante and live music performed by the Eric Bascom Trio. Attendees will then board Peter Pan Motor Coaches and depart the Museum of Springfield History at 6 p.m. for their next stop at Holyoke’s Wistariahurst Museum. There they will be entertained by members of The Enchanted Circle Theatre and the Ted Wirt Jazz Quintet while indulging in dinner stations provided by The Delaney House. Northampton’s historic Calvin Theatre is next on the agenda, with desserts from local restaurants capping the night, along with live music and a disc jockey. At the conclusion of the evening, buses will depart the Calvin, returning attendees to the parking lot at the Museum of Springfield History at approximately 10:30 p.m.

The cost to participate in Destination Dine is $65 per person, and non-refundable reservations can only be made online at www.valleyvisitor.com.

May 5
On Thursday, May 5th at the Holiday Inn, Enfield, Conn, -RT>The Employers Association of the NorthEast will hold their 7th Annual Management Conference called “Accepting the Responsibility of Managing People.” The conference will be held at the Holiday Inn in Enfield. Keynote speaker Bruce Tulgan, founder of RainmakerThinking, and author of “It’s Okay to be the Boss,” will address what he considers the biggest problem in corporate America - an undermanagement epidemic. For more information, contact Karen Cronenberger at (508) 767-3415. To register call (877) 662-6444 or visit www.eane.org

The EDC and Associated Industries of Massachusetts will host purchasing executives from Raytheon in Springfield on May 5. Raytheon was asked to identify products and services that it is looking to source, so the list can be shared with Western Massachusetts companies that may be able to supply them.

Interested firms should review the invitation that includes Raytheon’s list at http://www.aimnet.org and submit the application if you provide the products or services requested by Raytheon. Contact Mike Graney from the EDC at (413) 755-1300 or m.graney@westernmassedc.com with any questions. Neither EDC, AIM nor Raytheon can guarantee that your firm will be chosen to participate.

May 13
Gov. Deval L. Patrick will be the speaker at Associated Industries of Massachusetts annual meeting from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Westin Hotel in Waltham.

The cost is $150 or $1,500 for table of 10 for AIM members or $200 or $2,000 for table of 10 for nonmembers. Government workers pay $100.